Revelations: Shoes are on their way

I could feel the sweat streaming down my face and neck. Every few moments, I was wiping my burning eyeballs on my sleeve to clear away the mascara liquefying on my lashes.

In the three years I've lived in Texas, I've come to realize there is nothing worse than standing outside in 100-degree August heat, especially since my poor forehead is still recovering from the sunburn I earned a few days ago at the dunking tank.

But today, I didn't care that I looked like a hot mess. I didn't care that I was melting or that I left Faith Family Church smelling like a dusty garage and old shoes.

Because today is the day more than 3,500 pairs of shoes were loaded on a freighter truck and shipped across the country to Children of the Nations International in California. And in a few months, those shoes will arrive in various villages in Malawi, Africa.

For those of you who have participated in Barefoot Sunday in previous years, I applaud your efforts. If you've donated your time or shoes or money or prayers, I can't even begin to tell you how thankful I am.

I never thought this project would last three years. And I certainly never thought three years ago that our community could make such a huge impact on the people of Malawi in such a short amount of time.

Do you realize in three years, Victoria and surrounding counties have donated more than 15,000 pairs of shoes to this project?

That's 15,000 people who have had their lives changed for the better.

You can all pat yourself on the back because that's an achievement you all had your hands on.

Still think you can't change the world? Every time you think you're just one person who can't do anything, remember the 15,000 people you helped serve by cleaning out your closet.

Now, imagine if you were actually trying.

Thank you, Victoria.

I'm forever moved by your kind hearts.

Jennifer Preyss is a reporter for the Victoria Advocate. You can reach her at 361-580-6535 or jlpreyss@vicad.com or @jenniferpreyss on Twitter.